# 2014 LSU Tigers football team

The 2014 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by tenth-year head coach Les Miles, the Tigers finished the season with an overall record of 8–5 and mark of 4–4 in conference play, tying for fourth place in the SEC's Western Division. LSU was invited to the Music City Bowl, where the Tigers lost to Notre Dame. The team played home games Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In 2023, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) vacated all of LSU's wins from the 2012 through 2015 seasons due to an ineligible player.

## Offseason

Shortly after the 2013 season, LSU issued a statement that offensive line coach Greg Studrawa would be leaving the team. After a brief search, coach Les Miles announced the hiring of Jeff Grimes to replace Studrawa. Grimes served as the offensive line coach for Virginia Tech in 2013. Prior to Virginia Tech, Grimes spent four years at the same position at Auburn, where he helped that team win the national championship in 2010. LSU was also in need of a new special teams coordinator after Thomas McGaughey left to take the same position with the New York Jets. The Tigers hired Bradley Dale Peveto, who previously spent four seasons as an assistant at LSU from 2005 to 2008, as his replacement.
For the second year in a row, LSU had more underclassmen declare for the NFL draft than any other team in the country. Key losses included Mettenberger, third-team All American Odell Beckham Jr., and second-team All-SEC players Jarvis Landry, Jeremy Hill, Anthony Johnson, and Lamin Barrow.
The Tigers' 2014 recruiting class was considered one of the top in the nation, bolstered by several top prospects from the state of Louisiana, including New Orleans running back Leonard Fournette, River Ridge wide receiver Malachi Dupre, and Lake Charles wide receiver Trey Quinn. The class was considered the consensus #2 class by all the major recruiting outlets.
In 2023, all wins for the 2013 season were vacated by the NCAA.

### Key departures

| Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | Notes |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | 3 | WR | 6'0" | 193 | Junior | New Orleans, Louisiana | 1st round draft pick (12th overall) of the New York Giants |
| Alfred Blue | 4 | RB | 6'2" | 222 | Senior | Boutte, Louisiana | 6th round draft pick (181st overall) of the Houston Texans |
| Craig Loston | 6 | S | 6'2" | 209 | Senior | Houston, Texas | Undrafted free agent signing of the Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Zach Mettenberger | 8 | QB | 6'5" | 235 | Senior | Watkinsville, Georgia | 6th round draft pick (178th overall) of the Tennessee Titans |
| Ego Ferguson | 9 | DT | 6'3" | 309 | Junior | Mims, Florida | 2nd round draft pick (51st overall) of the Chicago Bears |
| Lamin Barrow | 18 | LB | 6'2" | 232 | Senior | Marrero, Louisiana | 5th round draft pick (156th overall) of the Denver Broncos |
| Jeremy Hill | 33 | RB | 6'2" | 235 | Sophomore | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 2nd round draft pick (55th overall) of the Cincinnati Bengals |
| J.C. Copeland | 44 | FB | 6'1" | 270 | Senior | LaGrange, Georgia | Undrafted free agent signing of the Dallas Cowboys |
| Trai Turner | 56 | OG | 6'3" | 316 | Sophomore | New Orleans, Louisiana | 3rd round draft pick (92nd overall) of the Carolina Panthers |
| Jarvis Landry | 80 | WR | 6'1" | 195 | Junior | Convent, Louisiana | 2nd round draft pick (63rd overall) of the Miami Dolphins |
| James Wright | 82 | WR | 6'2" | 203 | Senior | Belle Chasse, Louisiana | 7th round draft pick (239th overall) of the Cincinnati Bengals |
| Kadron Boone | 86 | WR | 6'0" | 202 | Senior | Ocala, Florida | Undrafted free agent signing of the Philadelphia Eagles |
| Anthony Johnson | 90 | DT | 6'3" | 294 | Junior | New Orleans, Louisiana | Undrafted free agent signing of the Miami Dolphins |

### Class of 2014 signees

College recruiting information :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Jamal Adams DB | Lewisville, Texas | Hebron High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 201 lb (91 kg) | Jan 2, 2014 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Donnie Alexander LB | New Orleans, Louisiana | Edna Karr High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | Feb 24, 2013 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| John Battle DB | Hallandale, Florida | Hallandale High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 179 lb (81 kg) | Jun 28, 2013 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Garrett Brumfield OG | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | University High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 280 lb (130 kg) | Apr 20, 2013 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| D. J. Chark WR | Alexandria, Louisiana | Alexandria High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 174 lb (79 kg) | Jun 10, 2013 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Will Clapp OG | New Orleans, Louisiana | Brother Martin High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 270 lb (120 kg) | Jan 12, 2013 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Deondre Clark DE | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Douglass High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 233 lb (106 kg) | Jun 24, 2013 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Malachi Dupre WR | River Ridge, Louisiana | John Curtis Christian High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 182 lb (83 kg) | Feb 5, 2014 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Leonard Fournette RB | New Orleans, Louisiana | St. Augustine High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 226 lb (103 kg) | Jan 2, 2014 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Russell Gage ATH | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Redemptorist High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 177 lb (80 kg) | Jan 29, 2014 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Cameron Gamble K | Flower Mound, Texas | Flower Mound High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Jul 13, 2013 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Clifton Garrett LB | Joliet, Illinois | Plainfield South High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 224 lb (102 kg) | Dec 17, 2013 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Davon Godchaux DE | Plaquemine, Louisiana | Plaquemine High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 271 lb (123 kg) | Sep 30, 2013 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Brandon Harris QB | Bossier City, Louisiana | Parkway High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 189 lb (86 kg) | Jul 18, 2013 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Trey Lealaimatafao DT | San Antonio, Texas | Warren High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 297 lb (135 kg) | Feb 5, 2014 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Edward Paris DB | Mansfield, Texas | Timberview High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 197 lb (89 kg) | Feb 25, 2013 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Trey Quinn WR | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Barbe High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Aug 17, 2013 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Sione Teuhema DE | Keller, Texas | Keller High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 214 lb (97 kg) | Feb 5, 2014 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Tony Upchurch WR | Pearland, Texas | Dawson High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 221 lb (100 kg) | Mar 15, 2013 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Travonte Valentine DT | Hialeah, Florida | Champagnat Catholic School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | Feb 5, 2014 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Devin Voorhies ATH | Woodville, Mississippi | Wilkinson County High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Jul 28, 2012 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 2 Rivals: 2 247Sports: 2 ESPN: 2 ||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2014 LSU Football Commitment List". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 25, 2014. "Louisiana State College Football Recruiting Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved March 25, 2014. "LSU Tigers". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 25, 2014. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved March 25, 2014. "2014 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 25, 2014. ||||||

## Coaching staff

| Name | Position | Seasons at LSU | Alma Mater |
| Les Miles | Head coach | 10 | Michigan (1976) |
| Cam Cameron | Offensive coordinator, Quarterbacks | 2 | Indiana (1983) |
| John Chavis | Defensive coordinator | 6 | Tennessee (1979) |
| Frank Wilson | Running backs, Recruiting coordinator | 5 | Nicholls State (1997) |
| Steve Ensminger | Tight ends | 5 | LSU (1982) |
| Brick Haley | Defensive line | 6 | Alabama A&M (1989) |
| Adam Henry | Wide receivers | 3 | McNeese State (1998) |
| Bradley Dale Peveto | Special teams | 5 | Southern Methodist (1987) |
| Corey Raymond | Defensive backs | 2 | LSU (1992) |
| Jeff Grimes | Offensive line | 1 | Texas - El Paso (1991) |
| Reference: ||||

## Depth chart

The official opening day depth chart was released on August 22, 2014.
Defense :
* FS
* 26 Ronald Martin, Sr
* 28 Jalen Mills, Jr
* 33 Jamal Adams, Fr
| WLB | MIKE | SLB |
| 4 Kwon Alexander, Jr | 31 D.J. Welter, Sr | 23 Lamar Louis, Jr |
| 45 Deion Jones, Jr | 52 Kendell Beckwith, So | 40 Duke Riley, So |
| 22 Ronnie Feist, Jr | 3 Clifton Garrett, Fr | 48 Donnie Alexander, Fr |
* SS
* 29 Rickey Jefferson, So
* 12 Corey Thompson, Jr
* 35 Devin Voorhies, Fr
* CB
* 21 Rashard Robinson, So
* 24 Ed Paris, Fr
* 12 Corey Thompson, Jr
| DE | DT | DT | DE |
| 94 Danielle Hunter, Jr | 91 Christian LaCouture, So | 95 Quentin Thomas, Jr | 59 Jermauria Rasco, Sr |
| 92 Lewis Neal, So | 90 Marquedis Bain, Fr | 99 Greg Gilmore, Fr | 46 Tashawn Bower, So |
| 93 M.J. Patterson, Fr | 57 Davon Godchaux, Fr | 97 Frank Herron, Fr | 98 Deondre Clark, Fr |
* CB
* 16 Tre'Davious White, So
* 32 Jalen Collins, Jr
* 39 Russell Gage, Fr
Offense :
* WR
* 83 Travin Dural, So
* 1 Quantavius Leslie, Sr
* 2 Avery Peterson, Fr
| LT | LG | C | RG | RT |
| 70 La'el Collins, Sr | 74 Vadal Alexander, Jr | 55 Elliott Porter, Sr | 69 Fehoko Fanaika, Sr | 65 Jerald Hawkins, So |
| 71 Jonah Austin, Jr | 63 K.J. Malone, Fr | 77 Ethan Pocic, So | 75 Evan Washington, Sr | 76 Josh Boutte, So |
| ⋅ | ⋅ | 72 Andy Dodd, Fr | ⋅ | 67 Jevonte Domond, So |
* TE
* 85 Dillon Gordon, Jr
* 89 DeSean Smith, So
* 84 Logan Stokes, Sr
* WR
* 9 John Diarse, Fr
* 15 Malachi Dupre, Fr
* 8 Trey Quinn, Fr
* QB
* 10 Anthony Jennings, So
* 6 Brandon Harris, Fr
* 16 Brad Kragthorpe, Jr
* FB
* 43 Connor Neighbors, Sr
* 49 Melvin Jones, So
* 31 Bennett Schiro, Fr
* Special teams
* PK 42 Colby Delahoussaye, So
* PK 14 Trent Domingue, So
* P 38 Jamie Keehn, So
* KR 83 Travin Dural, So
* PR 18 Terrence Magee, Sr
* RB
* 18 Terrence Magee, Sr
* 7 Leonard Fournette, Fr
* 27 Kenny Hilliard, Sr

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| August 30 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. No. 14 Wisconsin* | No. 13 | NRG StadiumHouston, TX (Texas Kickoff) | ESPN | W 28–24 (vacated) | 71,599 |
| September 6 | 6:30 p.m. | Sam Houston State* | No. 12 | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA | SECN | W 56–0 (vacated) | 100,338 |
| September 13 | 6:00 p.m. | Louisiana–Monroe* | No. 10 | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA | ESPNU | W 31–0 (vacated) | 101,194 |
| September 20 | 6:00 p.m. | Mississippi State | No. 8 | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA (rivalry) | ESPN | L 29–34 | 102,321 |
| September 27 | 6:30 p.m. | New Mexico State* | No. 17 | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA | SECN | W 63–7 (vacated) | 101,987 |
| October 4 | 6:00 p.m. | at No. 5 Auburn | No. 15 | Jordan–Hare StadiumAuburn, AL (Tiger Bowl) | ESPN | L 7–41 | 87,451 |
| October 11 | 6:30 p.m. | at Florida | | Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, FL (rivalry) | SECN | W 30–27 (vacated) | 88,014 |
| October 18 | 6:30 p.m. | Kentucky | | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA | SECN | W 41–3 (vacated) | 101,581 |
| October 25 | 6:15 p.m. | No. 3 Ole Miss | No. 24 | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA (Magnolia Bowl) (College GameDay) | ESPN | W 10–7 (vacated) | 102,321 |
| November 8 | 7:00 p.m. | No. 5 Alabama | No. 16 | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA (rivalry / SEC Nation) | CBS | L 13–20 $^{OT}$ | 102,321 |
| November 15 | 7:00 p.m. | at Arkansas | No. 17 | Donald W. Reynolds Razorback StadiumFayetteville, AR (Golden Boot) | ESPN2 | L 0–17 | 70,165 |
| November 27 | 6:30 p.m. | at Texas A&M | | Kyle FieldCollege Station, TX (rivalry) | ESPN | W 23–17 (vacated) | 105,829 |
| December 30 | 2:00 p.m. | vs. Notre Dame* | No. 23 | LP FieldNashville, TN (Music City Bowl) | ESPN | L 28–31 | 60,149 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after October 28 released prior to gameAll times are in Central time ||||||||
    Schedule Source:

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes ( ) = First-place votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Final |
| AP | 13 | 12 (1) | 10 | 8 | 17 | 15 | RV | RV | 24 | 16 | 14 | 20 | RV | RV | 23 | 22 | RV |
| Coaches | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 18 | 15 | RV | RV | 23 | 17 | 15 | 20 | RV | RV | 24 | 23 | RV |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 19 | 16 | 17 | — | — | 24 | 23 | Not released |

## Players Drafted

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Team |
| 2 | 42 | Jalen Collins | Defensive back | Atlanta Falcons |
| 3 | 88 | Danielle Hunter | Defensive lineman | Minnesota Vikings |
| 4 | 124 | Kwon Alexander | Linebacker | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 7 | 235 | Kenny Hilliard | Running back | Houston Texans |
    Reference: